George Bush and the War on Terrorism

George W. Bush and the “War on Terrorism” (insert CNN patriotic graphics and James Earl Jones sound-byte here) is out of control. I’m as patriotic as the next guy – my flag was purchased well before September 11th. I even support the movement to make Toby Keith’s “Angry American” song the national anthem. I sat for hours on end as America dealt with the 9/11 tragedy not because it was like driving by an auto accident, but because I was truly outraged. I applauded the retaliation efforts by the U.S. military. But now, months later, the politics of the war drone on like a series of bad Friday the 13th sequels. I keep waiting for Bin Laden to pop back up from the grave – because you know we never found the body. Television and presidential popularity polls seem to influence foreign policy decisions as much as diplomacy and negotiation. Once the ratings appeal of one villain slumps we just insert a new one. Aim the missiles a little to the left and roll the news cameras. I remember early on that Bush even tried to recycle the tried and true WWII Axis & Allies nicknames but couldn’t pull it off; kind of like Pauly Shore starring in a John Wayne movie in my opinion. Then as the public eye drifts to reruns of Friends and Jerry Springer, you see the government repurposing their “War on Terrorism “marketing” money. After spending a billion dollars for an “anti-drug” campaign with little return, they figured they might be able to spice up the “war” effort and appease federal accountant watchdogs by hitting multiple targets with the same budget money. The end result? A cross-over with the “War on Drugs” to the “War on Terrorism” – smoking weed blows up buildings. Whoa. I always heard it just made you hungry. At the present rate of degradation, don’t forget to rewind your video tape rentals – who knows where that type of public anarchy might lead. Homeland Security could end up knocking on your door for the extra revenue stream. Plus, it might generate some news coverage…